Spokane Civic Theatre teamed up with Ignite! Community Theatre to bring a redesigned approach to a classic story.
The local theater groups put their own spin on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, “The Great Gatsby” through an in-concert style dramatic reading, held on Feb. 21. This production proved to be surprisingly funny and an exceptionally well-done performance.
Rather than a fully staged production, this event focused on the power of the written word and the actors’ ability to bring Fitzgerald’s iconic characters to life through voice and expression. The minimalist approach allowed the audience to appreciate the written story while immersing into the themes of wealth, love and the elusive American dream.
The stage featured a narrator sitting in a chair toward the front and 10 chairs toward the back. Along with the lack of set came the lack of props. Though the environment seemed quite plain, that did not hinder the actors in bringing the story to life. The story flowed for the entirety of the time, with all 11 actors remaining on stage for the entire two-hour show.
Another surprise was the actors reading from their scripts for the entirety of the show. I was nervous about the quality of performance when I saw the scripts being used. However, the actors provided a vibrant and commanding performance that made me forget the scripts were present.
The story follows a man, Nick, as he moves to New York. He spends time with his cousin, Daisy, her husband, Tom, and his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Throughout the story, he becomes romantically involved with a pro-golfer, Jordan.
Act 1 was filled with drama. Nick spends a day with Tom, learning of his affair. The friendship between Gatsby and Nick blooms, with Nick attending many of his extravagant parties. There were no breaks in between scenes, which helped keep the show from dragging.
Act 2 began with Gatsby trying to win back his first love, Daisy. The darker side of the glamorous Jazz Age is brought to the spotlight, highlighting themes of infidelity, moral decay and entitlement.
The characters did not receive a happy ending. Daisy remained in her loveless marriage, three characters died and Nick ended his newfound romance. Of all the ways that I expected this play to end, a manslaughter-murder-suicide was not one of them.
The cast was able to collaborate in ways that their characters could not to create unexpected moments of humor and highlight satirical elements within the narrative. The actors’ nuanced delivery and passion for the material resonated throughout the theater. The show highlighted the talent present within the Spokane theater community.
For those who missed Friday’s performance, there are still opportunities to enjoy other shows hosted by the theater. On April 4 through 6, the theater will apply this unique interpretation to “I Hate Hamlet.”
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Article by Jenna Johnston